Rationale of the study
Aims and objectives of the study
This research investigates the factors influencing the oral presentation skills of tour guide students at HTC It also offers potential solutions to enhance both teaching and learning experiences related to these skills.
The specific objectives of the study include:
identifying the students’ perceptions about the importance of oral presentation skills in their future job
understanding students’ self assessments of their oral presentation skill
identifying the difficulties in making oral presentations encountered by the students at HTC
examining the factors affecting their oral presentations at HTC
providing some recommendations on how to improve students’ oral presentation.
Scope and significance of the study
The factors affecting students' English oral presentation skills at Hanoi Tourism College are critical for their academic and professional success Key elements include the level of language proficiency, confidence in speaking, and the quality of instructional methods Additionally, peer feedback and classroom environment play significant roles in enhancing presentation abilities Understanding these factors can help educators develop effective strategies to improve students' communication skills, ultimately preparing them for careers in the tourism industry.
The study focuses on oral presentation skills in English in the classroom context of 106 third – year non-English major tour guide students at HTC
The method of the study
The study employs a quantitative methodology, ideal for its survey-based approach As noted by Johnson (1991:104), the objective of a survey is to understand the characteristics of a larger group by analyzing a sample, which aligns with the study's goal of exploring students' perceptions regarding various aspects of oral presentations.
Design of the study
The thesis consists of three parts
Part A: Introduction: introduces the rationale, aims, significance, scope and methodology of the study
Part B: Development: is the main part of the study, which consists of three chapters
LITERATURE REVIEW
Definition of terminology
Gufta (2008) defines an oral presentation as a formal way to convey your message to your audience
A tour guides’ presentation is to introduce the place or the country in terms of its importance, history, politics, cultures, fauna and flora to the participants of the tours
Oral presentation as a component of oral communication
Oral presentations are a key aspect of oral communication, where speakers convey information to their audience through spoken language Additionally, effective oral presentations incorporate nonverbal communication elements such as body language, gestures, and eye contact, enhancing the overall impact of the speech.
The role of oral presentation skill to tour guides
Oral presentation skill is the main tool of tour guides and the most decisive successful factor in their job.
The structure of an oral presentation
This article explores the various factors influencing students' English oral presentation skills at Hanoi Tourism College Key elements affecting these skills include students' confidence levels, language proficiency, and presentation techniques Additionally, the role of effective teaching methods and peer feedback is highlighted as crucial in enhancing students' abilities The findings suggest that a supportive learning environment and targeted training can significantly improve oral presentation outcomes for students in the tourism sector.
1.4.1 The structure of an oral presentation Đoàn (2007) states that there are three main parts in tour guides’ presentations like any other kinds of oral presentation: introduction, body, and conclusion.
METHODOLOGY
The setting of the study
2.1.1 The description of Hanoi Tourism College
Established in 1972, Hanoi Tourism College, previously recognized as the training institution for tourism and hospitality professionals, is renowned as a leading center for tourism education The college equips students with essential industry knowledge, robust professional skills, foreign language proficiency, and appropriate industry etiquette, catering to the demands of Vietnam's expanding tourism sector.
This article explores the various factors that influence students' English oral presentation skills at Hanoi Tourism College Key elements include the impact of teaching methods, student motivation, and the availability of resources Additionally, the role of cultural background and peer support in enhancing presentation abilities is examined Understanding these factors is essential for improving the effectiveness of English language instruction and fostering better communication skills among students in the tourism sector.
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
The students’ perceptions of the importance of oral presentation skill and their self -
Factors influencing students' English oral presentation skills at Hanoi Tourism College include language proficiency, presentation techniques, and the learning environment Effective communication skills are essential for students in the tourism sector, where interaction with international clients is common Additionally, the availability of resources, such as access to language training and practice opportunities, plays a crucial role in enhancing these skills Support from instructors and peer collaboration also significantly impacts students' confidence and performance during presentations Addressing these factors can lead to improved oral communication abilities, better preparing students for their future careers in tourism.
3.1.1 The students’ perceptions of the importance of oral presentation skill
As can be seen from Table 3.1, the majority of students (99.1 %) stated that oral presentation skill was very important in their future job None of them found oral presentation unimportant
3.1.2 The students’ self-assessment of their presentation skill
According to Table 3.2, a significant majority of students perceived their oral presentations to be moderately successful, with over half (68 students) believing they achieved a success rate of 50-60%.
Students’ difficulties in making oral presentations
The students had to cope with many difficulties in preparing for the oral presentation, especially memorizing the speech word for word and rehearsing the speech
Organizing the oral presentation was also difficult for the students
3.2.3.1 Students’ difficulties in attracting and maintaining the attentions of audiences
Students also had many difficulties in delivering oral presentations
3.2.3.2 Students’ difficulties concerning body language
Body language was not a challenge for the students because they had been trained how to give presentation in Vietnamese
The factors affecting students' English oral presentation skills at Hanoi Tourism College include various elements such as language proficiency, confidence, presentation techniques, and feedback mechanisms Students' ability to engage their audience and utilize effective communication strategies significantly impacts their performance Additionally, the role of instructors in providing constructive criticism and fostering a supportive learning environment is crucial for enhancing these skills Understanding these factors can lead to improved teaching methods and better outcomes for students in their oral presentations.
3.2.3.3 Students’ difficulties concerning language use
Students faced significant challenges in language use, frequently committing basic grammatical errors in their presentations, particularly with personal pronouns and verb tenses Additionally, they struggled to select the appropriate words to effectively convey their ideas.
3.2.3.4 Students’ difficulties in time management
“Controlling the time for the presentation” was another difficulty for students The majority of students rated the task as very difficult and difficult
3.2.3.5 Students’ difficulties in anxiety management
Students still faced the difficulties in managing the anxiety However, many of them could control their anxiety while giving their speech
3.2.3.6 Students’ difficulties in handling the audiences’ questions
Factors affecting the students’ oral presentation skill
Several factors influence students' oral presentation skills, primarily stemming from the students themselves, their teachers, and the educational institutions A significant issue is the students' low language proficiency, which diminishes their confidence Additionally, insufficient rehearsal opportunities and limited chances to speak in front of the class contribute to poor performance Furthermore, teachers' lack of constructive feedback, encouragement, and effective correction methods also negatively impact students' presentation skills.
Several factors significantly influence the English oral presentation skills of students at Hanoi Tourism College These include the quality of instruction, the students' motivation and confidence levels, and the availability of resources for practice Additionally, peer feedback and the learning environment play crucial roles in enhancing presentation abilities Understanding these elements can help educators develop more effective teaching strategies to improve students' oral communication skills in English.
10 difficulties for students For institutions, poorly equipped class hindered the teaching and learning of oral presentation skill.
The students’ suggested solutions
3.4.1.1 Improving their knowledge of English 3.4.1.2 Practising carefully for the presentation
Many students suggested practicing before mirrors or with their friends “To be more confident, we need to practice the oral presentation before mirrors or with our classmates”
3.4.2.1 Equipping students with linguistic knowledge 3.4.2.2 Creating a pleasant and supportive classroom atmosphere
Teachers play a crucial role in helping students feel confident and comfortable during oral presentations To foster motivation in learning, it is essential for students to have ample opportunities to practice and receive consistent encouragement An effective English teacher should actively promote speaking skills by offering praise and rewards to motivate students in their language learning journey.
3.4.3.1 Providing modern teaching equipments and a good library
Factors affecting students' English oral presentation skills at Hanoi Tourism College include individual motivation, teaching methodologies, and the availability of resources Additionally, students' confidence levels and peer interactions play a significant role in their presentation abilities Effective feedback from instructors and practice opportunities are crucial for enhancing these skills Understanding these factors can help improve the overall quality of English oral presentations among students at the college.
Summary of the study
Recommendations
The quality of a tour guide’s oral presentation hinges on delivering accurate information with clear pronunciation, fluent speech, and an appropriate demeanor To enhance these skills, educators should focus on integrating real-life tasks into the classroom, emphasizing the importance of effective communication in guiding.
Gufta (2008:258) shows that “Presentation is a skill which is developed through experience and training” This means that presentation skill needs a lot of practice
Effective preparation and planning are essential for achieving success in the classroom Teachers should collaborate with students to create evaluation checklists and work together on a collection of commonly used lexical chunks relevant to tour guiding Additionally, providing students with ample opportunities to practice pronunciation in context is crucial Incorporating exercises focused on discourse devices and linking words will further enhance students' communication skills.
Limitations of the study and suggestions for further studies
Factors affecting students' English oral presentation skills at Hanoi Tourism College include language proficiency, confidence levels, teaching methods, and peer feedback Enhancing these skills is crucial for students' academic success and future career opportunities in the tourism industry Effective training programs and supportive learning environments can significantly improve their presentation abilities, ultimately contributing to their overall communication skills.
This study's limitations stem from relying solely on a questionnaire for data collection, which may only reflect superficial perceptions and judgments of student participants regarding oral presentation skills Additionally, respondents might not provide accurate answers, potentially tailoring their responses to align with what they believe the researcher expects.
Therefore, in future studies different methods of data collection such as interview and observation should be used
1 Ang, J.G Oral communication, 2009, Katha Publishing Co.INC
2 Brown, J.D (2005) Using surveys in language programs Cambridge University Press
3 Byrne, D (1886) Teaching oral English London: Longman
4 Collins (2003) English Collins dictionary Retrieved September 11, 2011 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com
5 Comfort.J.(1995) Effective presentation Oxford: Oxford University Press
6 Delahunty, G.P & Garvey J.J (1994) Language grammar and communication
7 Ellis R (1994) Second language acquisition Oxford: Oxford University Press
8 Emdem, J & Becker, L (2004) Presentation skills for students New York: Palgrave
9 Gupta, S (2008) Communication skills and functional grammar New Dehli: University
10 Harmer, J (1999) The Practice of English language teaching Malaysia: Longman
11 Johnson, D.M 1991 Approaches to research in second language learning Longman
Factors affecting students' English oral presentation skills at Hanoi Tourism College include various elements such as language proficiency, confidence levels, and presentation techniques Additionally, the role of teacher feedback, peer interactions, and the learning environment significantly influence students' performance Effective training programs and resources are essential to enhance these skills, fostering better communication and engagement in professional settings By addressing these factors, students can improve their oral presentation abilities, which are crucial for their future careers in the tourism industry.
12 MacIntyre, P D (1999) Language anxiety: A review of the research for language
13 Nunan, D 1992 Research methods in Language teaching Cambrigde: CUP
14 Paulston, C.B 1985 Communicative competence and Language teaching, in Das, K.B
Communicative Language Teaching (p14-31) Singapore University Press
15 Reinhart, S.M (2002) Giving Academic Presentation The University of Michigan Press
16 Revell.J.1979 Teaching techniques for communicative English MacMillan Press LTD
17 Ur P 1996 A course in language teaching Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
1 Đoàn Hương Lan (2007) Nghiệp vụ hướng dẫn du lịch Nhà Xuất Bản Đại Học Kinh Tế
Factors affecting students' English oral presentation skills at Hanoi Tourism College include a lack of confidence, limited vocabulary, and insufficient practice opportunities Additionally, the teaching methods employed and the classroom environment play significant roles in shaping students' abilities Effective feedback from instructors and peer interactions can enhance presentation skills, while cultural influences may also impact performance Addressing these factors is essential for improving students' oral communication competencies in English.